5 Super Athletes With Ties To Sonoma Valley

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Sonoma Valley area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Tommy Everidge (Baseball)

Tommy Everidge began his baseball career at Sonoma Valley High School before excelling at Sonoma State University, where he posted impressive batting averages and set records over three seasons. Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2004, Everidge rose through the minor league system and debuted in the majors in 2009, hitting his first MLB home run that same year. After stints with the Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros and independent leagues, he retired as a player and transitioned to coaching, earning accolades such as the 2011 Atlantic League Player of the Year. Now a hitting coordinator for the Washington Nationals, Everidge continues to make an impact in professional baseball.

2. Tony Moll (Football)

Tony Moll made his mark in football as an All-Empire defensive end at Sonoma Valley High School. He transitioned to offensive tackle at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he earned All-WAC honors. Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2006, Moll became a key part of their offensive line, protecting Brett Favre and starting games as both a guard and tackle. His NFL career included stints with the Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers and Washington Commanders. Moll has since pivoted into the wine industry, opening up boutique winery Three Fat Guys in Sonoma.

3. Kimberly Navarro (Ice Dancing)

Santa Rosa native Kimberly Navarro has achieved international acclaim in ice dancing, both professionally and artistically. She paired with Brent Bommentre to win two U.S. national bronze medals and a Four Continents bronze medal in 2008 and represented the U.S. at the World Championships. After retiring from the competition scene in 2010, she shifted to performance ice dancing, later becoming a figure skating instructor as well as the Co-Artistic Director and Performance Workshop & Youth Program Director of the Redwood Ice Theatre Company.

4. Sara Hall (Distance Running)

Santa Rosa native Sara Hall is one of the most decorated distance runners in American history, holding 10 national titles and previously setting an American record in the half marathon with a time of 1:07:15. A seven-time All-American at Stanford University, Hall made her marathon debut in 2015 and has since achieved remarkable successes, including runner-up finishes at the 2020 London Marathon and multiple victories in prestigious races like the Mastercard New York Mini 10K. Hall and her husband, Ryan, are also philanthropists, supporting health and education initiatives through the Hall Steps Foundation.

5. Jonny Gomes (Baseball)

Jonny Gomes, a Petaluma native, became a fan-favorite MLB outfielder known for his grit and resilience. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2001, Gomes hit 21 home runs in his rookie season and contributed to the Boston Red Sox’s 2013 World Series win with a critical three-run homer. Over his 13-season career, Gomes played for teams including the Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals, earning a reputation for clutch performances and leadership. Now a coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Gomes continues to inspire the next generation of players.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.